Sgt Maj and I travel across East Africa to have eyes on all being done by CJTF-HOA and our partners. We check on our assets, our “blood and treasure,” engaged in operations. We also recently returned from AFRICOM headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. That visit opened our eyes to how what is happening in East Africa is affected by what happens on the African Continent. One of our higher HQ’s Commanders’ priorities is Ebola. To be good teammates, we need to understand Ebola, how it affects what we do at CJTF-HOA and our team across East Africa.

At the present moment, Ebola is thousands of miles away from Djibouti. However, AFRICOM was tasked with standing up an Ebola Joint Force Command to assist USAID in Liberia, a task that we will support as we are directed to. A small number of our Seabees have been tasked to support this mission. They will use their valuable skills to assist with assessments and facilitate construction which will enable healthcare workers to safely provide assistance to patients. The Seabee motto is “Can Do” and anyone who has served with a Seabee knows this is true. We send them off with our support on this critical mission.

Here’s some of what we know about Ebola: the Ebola virus is an infectious disease in which symptoms are a sudden onset of fever, muscle pain, severe weakness of the body, headache and sore throat. As it worsens, there is vomiting, a rash and diarrhea and then a more advanced stage is possible internal and external bleeding. This virus can be transmitted through animals, through contact with blood or fluids of someone infected already, or exposure to contaminated objects. There is no cure as of now but treatment includes balancing the patient’s fluids with electrolytes, maintaining a normal blood pressure and treating problematic infections.

As of a few days ago, the Ebola virus in West Africa (note, we are in East Africa) has had approximately 4784 cases reported. Some countries that have offered assistance are the United States, United Kingdom, EU, Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo, France and Uganda. The World Health Organization has invested $100 million; World Bank has committed 200 million, 180 million from the European Commission and 75 million from the United States. The U.S. has also committed to send a 25 bed field hospital to Liberia. This is a whole-of-government response that was a joint decision by USAID, CDC, DOD and key U.S. Government Leadership. Although there is not a cure for Ebola, many are working diligently to get this outbreak under control.

There have been travel warnings posted on some countries but none here in East Africa. Precautions are being taken like airport screenings and education about the virus. The Department of Defense is working with USAID with the goal of stopping the spread of Ebola. We are dedicated to working with the international community to assist in the response efforts. Coordination between CJTF-HOA, AFRICOM, USAID and other US government agencies and the international community is vital. Planning is underway to help contain this virus.

Our mission here in CJTF-HOA has not been compromised. We remain engaged with the countries in our area of operation. It is important that we communicate and everyone now knows what we know. Each and every one of you plays a significant role what we do and our success. We will continue to keep you informed.

Ubuntu, see you on the running trail...

Tags

We suggest

Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa welcomed U.S. Army Brig. Gen Kurt L. Sonntag and said farewell to U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer during a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. U.S. Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, commanding general for U.S. Africa Command, presided over the ceremony.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry recently visited Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa headquarters at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, during a series of stops with several partner nations throughout Africa.

Former U.S. Army General Douglas McArthur once said, “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to the needs of others.” For more than a year, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa has been privileged to be guided by such a true leader.

SgtMaj and I always say it is a Leadership factory at CJTF-HOA and we build Leaders first. We do so and we are so successful because this command is the most diverse we have seen. It is a melting pot of each of our services; active duty, reserves, and our coalition and civilian partners. We embrace each other’s culture, and, SgtMaj and I challenge each of you to learn from one another’s service culture and service traditions. While being in the countries of our East Africa Partners, share a little of your culture and learn about the culture of the country you are in. In turn, this will make our organization and our mission stronger and more successful.